Route Overview
A warm-weather loop featuring Everglades, Biscayne, and Dry Tortugas with wildlife, snorkeling, and a boat day.
Itinerary
Start with wildlife viewing and a paved loop.
Shark Valley Visitor Center
A 15-mile, flat paved loop trail, open year around, and only access to the Shark Valley Observation Tower. Great panoramic views of the Everglades along with wildlife sightings. Open 24-hours a day, year around.
Start with trail info and tram schedule.
Bring water for the paved loop.
Shark Valley Tram Road
A 15-mile, flat paved loop trail, open year around, and only access to the Shark Valley Observation Tower. Great panoramic views of the Everglades along with wildlife sightings. Open 24-hours a day, year around.
Paved loop with alligators and birds.
Bike rentals available if you prefer to ride.
Anhinga Trail
The famous Anhinga Trail is a self-guiding pavement and boardwalk trail winding through and over sawgrass marsh and freshwater slough. A paved path leads you along the water and to a looping boardwalk, providing views into the prairie and the clear waters of the slough. You may see alligators, fish, turtles, anhingas, and many other birds, especially during the winter, when the generally lower waters of the dry season concentrate aquatic wildlife in the slough. This is one th
Boardwalk with close-up wildlife viewing.
Great for birds and gators near sunset.
Pa-hay-okee Overlook
This elevated wooden boardwalk leads to an overlook that offers sweeping vistas of the "river of grass". This raised observation platform provides close up views of dwarf cypress trees, magnolia, air plants and string lillies. The trail is 0.16 miles or 260 meters roundtrip, Wheelchair accessible.
Short boardwalk with wide sawgrass views.
Soft evening light across the wetlands.
Boardwalks and the Flamingo area.
Flamingo Visitor Center
Gateway to the southern Everglades.
Check boat tour schedules if interested.
Eco Pond
Short walk with bird and wildlife viewing.
Bring binoculars.
Nine Mile Pond Trail
Easy loop through sawgrass and cypress.
Expect mosquitoes outside winter months.
Flamingo sunset area
Sunset over Florida Bay.
Great end-of-day light.
Boat tour or kayaking in Biscayne Bay.
Biscayne National Park Visitor Center
Biscayne National Park preserves unique marine habitat and nursery environments that sustain diverse native fishery resources and support world-class fishing for spiny lobster, snapper, grouper, tarpon and bonefish.
Orientation and tour options.
Biscayne Bay boat tour (if booked)
Explore mangroves and offshore keys.
Scenic drive through the Keys.
Ferry day to Fort Jefferson and snorkeling.
Fort Jefferson
Historic fort and beach time.
Flex day for weather or extra snorkeling.
Return rental car and fly home.
Creates a copy you can customize
7
Days
11
Stops
easy
Difficulty
Best Season
December-April for cooler temps and fewer bugs
Tags